Community

Location...

Approximately 30 miles north of Philadelphia in Bucks County, Southeast Pennsylvania

Size...

Approximately 95 square miles with a total population of 45,000

Area...

Eight municipalities including the boroughs of Dublin, Perkasie, Sellersville, and Silverdale; the townships of Bedminster, East Rockhill, Hilltown, and West Rockhill

Enrollment and Schools

There are seven elementary schools, grades K–5; three middle schools, grades 6-–8; and one high school, grades 9–12. Anticipated enrollments for 2009-2010: at the elementary level, 3,150; in the middle schools, 1,675; and at the high school, 2,375. Total approximate total enrollment is 7,200.

Professional Staff

Pennridge employs approximately 500 teachers, 74 percent with advanced degrees. More than 450 additional staff members are employed, including part-time personnel. These staff members consist of teaching assistants, custodians, cafeteria workers, maintenance, secretaries and clerks, aides, and transportation personnel, emergency personnel, and administrators. There are district-wide curriculum supervisors in language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. Department coordinators articulate the subject areas of foreign languages, technology education, family and consumer science, physical education, business education, art, and music.

Curriculum

The Pennridge School District has scheduled an ambitious curriculum renewal process, which revolves around its Strategic Plan. The district has identified the integration of technology to improve instructional effectiveness as a top priority.

In the elementary schools, communication skills are taught throughout the curriculum. Social Studies is being connected to language arts as an interdisciplinary learning project. The emphasis is on hands-on learning in science and the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) standards are being integrated into all mathematics instruction.

At the middle school level, students will have the opportunity to study algebra and/or a first year foreign language. More emphasis is being placed on computer literacy both in computer education classes and throughout the curriculum. In addition to team-based instruction in academic subjects, middle school students explore a variety of specialty areas.

The high school offers a comprehensive array of rigorous course selections that allows students to prepare for college and/or a vocation.  Sixteen Advanced Placement (AP) courses have been approved by the College Board and two more AP courses are awaiting approval.  Students in grades 10–12 may attend the Upper Bucks Vocational-Technical School for more in-depth preparation in an area of vocational interest. More than 84 percent of Pennridge seniors go on to college or institutions of higher learning.

Special Education Programs

Special programs and classes are available for students in need of gifted programs, life skills support, emotional support, learning support, autistic support, speech and language support, hearing support, visually impaired support and multiple disabilities support.

College Bound Students

Of the 541 students in the class of 2009, 82 percent are attending college; 53percent are attending four-year colleges while 29 percent are attending two-year institutions.

Average SAT Scores

In the class of 2008, 65 percent of the student body took the SAT. Average scores, as reported by the college board, were: 525 in Math, 508 in Critical Reading, and 493 in Writing.

Budget, Taxes, Per Pupil Costs

2009–2010 Budget — $109.1 million
Real Estate Millage — 119.55 mills on assessed value of real estate
One percent real estate transfer tax shared with each municipality
One percent earned income tax

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Last update 12.27.09